The Washington Nationals have activated infielder Anthony Rendon from the disabled list. Rendon, who finished fifth in the N.L. in MVP votes in 2014, has not played since early in March after diving for a ground ball.
The Nationals originally expected Rendon to miss only a couple of days, but the injury lingered, and Rendon was diagnosed with a sprained left knee. Rendon had resumed baseball activities in late April, but he was shut down again on May 4 because of an oblique strain.
This Rendon news could not have come at a better time for the Nationals, who have lost two straight series and five of six after winning nine straight series. Rendon, who hit .287 with 21 HRS and 83 RBI's, will likely hit the second spot, where he was so effective last year hitting behind Denard Span.
The Nationals originally expected Rendon to play third base, but he will most likely return to second base with the emergence of Yunel Escobar at third.
Rendon will return to the lineup tonight when the Nationals battle the Chicago Cubs at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
Although this is welcome news, the Nationals still have good number of injuries to deal with. Starting pitcher Doug Fister, who is on the 15-day DL, still looks to be out a few more weeks with a forearm injury. Ace Stephen Strasburg, who has struggled mightily this year, is the on DL with a neck and back injury, but he is beginning to throw on flat ground. Jayson Werth, who fractured his wrist, has set a target date of August 1, but that may be a stretch at this point.